( 2026:JHHC:25883-DB) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Acq. Appeal No. 30 of 2019 --- The State of Jharkhand through D.C., Godda. --- Appellant Versus Sikan Marandi --- --- Respondent --- CORAM: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Kumar Rai --- For the Appellant : Mrs. Kumari Rashmi, A.P.P For the Respondent : None 10/28.08.2026 Heard Mrs. Kumari Rashmi, learned counsel for the appellant. None appears on behalf of the sole respondent despite service of notice. This appeal is directed against that part of the judgment dated 06.09.2018 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge-II, Godda in S.T. No.100 of 2015 whereby and whereunder the Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand has been directed to pay Rs.1,00,000/- for each year for detention of the respondent in judicial custody as compensation. It appears that the respondent was accused in committing rape upon the informant resulting in institution of Boarizore P.S. Case No.13 of 2006. Apart from the informant becoming hostile, P.W.2 and P.W.3 were also declared hostile. In fact, the learned trial court has come to conclusion that the respondent deserves benefit of doubt as the charge under Section 376 of I.P.C was not proved against him and the respondent was acquitted though at the same time for his detention in custody since 24.03.2015, an order has been passed directing the Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand to pay Rs.1 Lakh for each year of the detention of the respondent in judicial custody as compensation. The impugned judgment dated 06.09.2018 reveals that the benefit of doubt was given to the respondent on consideration of the materials available on record and on merits of the case and there was no occasion for the learned trial court to have awarded an amount of Rs.1 Lakh as compensation for each year for detention of the respondent. 2 Such direction appears to be without any reasonable cause and without any justifiable reason and on consideration of the above, we set aside that part of the judgment dated 06.09.2018 by which the Chief Secretary, State of Jharkhand has been directed to pay compensation of Rs.1 Lakh for each year for detention of the respondent. This appeal is allowed. (Rongon Mukhopadhyay, J.) (Arun Kumar Rai, J.) Dated : 28th August 2026 Shamim/ Uploaded on: 31/08/2026